"You're making me a Special Judge?" Sylvester asked directly and opened his senses to all scents.
The Pope didn't put his documents down and read them with seriousness. "Keep reading, young bard. Everything is in that report."
Sylvester did so and focused on each word to ensure he didn't leave any hidden meanings behind.
'Sorrow Kingdom has become a headache that can't be ignored anymore.' Sylvester read some parts of it and focused.
'The pleas of the people and the lack of rule-based order in the region have made everything miserable. The worst of the worst crimes one can imagine is taking place. The collapse has brought into existence countless unhygienic refugee camps that pose a risk of a plague. A lack of food is also bringing in reports of cannibalism. Some reports of a plague have already reached the Holy Land, but nothing for sure yet.'
Sylvester summarised everything for himself and closed the file to put it back on the table. 'So things are worse than I thought. It seems The Patch has still not given up on the Sorrow Kingdom. As I suggested, King Highland's dam to flood his riverside regions should be coming up soon. Maybe I can time it with negotiations with The Patch? But what exactly is my role?'
He waited while deep in thought. The Pope finished his work soon enough and stamped his seal on the document with a grunt. "It seems we will need two audits this year instead of just one. Too much corruption is happening."
"What happened, your holiness?" Sylvester tried his luck.
"A few low-ranking clergymen of Archpriest rank banded together and built a secret network for themselves, which they used to sell church possessions, sold information about talented individuals yet to join the church, forced commoners to pay money for salvation, and much more. They were all in it and created a proof of innocence for one another. As per tradition, they will be beheaded in the Holy Land soon." The Pope summarised and took Sylvester's file.
"So, Archbishop Sylvester, as stated here, I am appointing you as a Special Judge. Currently, only two more Special Judges are in service to the Holy Land, as the rank wields too much power. One currently serves in the West, and the other is in the Sand Continent. You will be the third one." Pope said and read the file while turning the pages and shaking his head. "Pitiful what's happening in the south."
Sylvester was interested in his rank. "How powerful is this rank?"
"Directly under me. A special judge is akin to a soldier, prosecutor, judge and executioner combined. Only men who know every word of the Holy Law of light can be qualified to hold such an office."
"Who can I punish? Let's say… A Cardinal Suprima?" Sylvester asked.
"Son, not only a Cardinal Suprima but even Dukes. However, in Duke's case, you can only first arrest them, as Dukes are often princes. You can not touch the kings and queens, either. Not without my permission. You are allowed to punish anyone under them with death, as long as their sin qualifies for it."
'Isn't this akin to the powers Inquisitor High Lord possesses?'
The Pope continued. "You have two goals for going there. The first is to investigate what is happening in the Sorrow Kingdom, as I have received some encrypted letters directly addressed to my office. You are to lessen the people's misery by punishing the bad elements. Your second goal is to meet that Viscount you spoke about and learn metal manipulation from him. I gifted you the Spear of Infinity, and I see it's not well utilised. It's an insult to that great tool."
Sylvester nodded and rubbed his temples as if trying to think calmly. "If I am to do this, I can not go there as Sylvester Maximilian. Too many people know my name and features now, and no corrupt noble or clergyman will show their true colours to me."
"You wish to go undercover?" The Pope easily deduced
Sylvester nodded and planned. "I will dye my hair and change the colour of my eyes with some magic. A common priest sent to the South sounds like a good motivation. I will first conduct my investigation and then reveal myself before killing them."
The Pope gave Sylvester the file back. "Do what you deem necessary, young bard. The South is not rich, nor are the people as civilised. But that does not mean their faith in Solis differs from ours. So go and spread your light. I bless you and pray for your success. May you have smooth progress. Show the heathens their rightful place. Let them be aware they have fallen out of my grace."
Sylvester stood up and saluted before heading out of the office.
"One more thing!" The Pope called him suddenly. "Take this letter as well. I don't know why, but King Gracia has formally invited you to his court as a guest of the highest honour. So make sure to visit Green City on your way. It's under our 'administration'"
Sylvester took the letter and finally left the office. As soon as he arrived outside, Miraj jumped onto his shoulder.
Eventually, he headed home while planning his subsequent actions for his southern adventure. 'Many sick people will be there, so I need to stock up on as much healing material as possible. Since it's a poverty-stricken area with no hygiene, the chances of cholera are also high, so an oral rehydration solution will do. I will also need to buy a lot of equipment from Count Raftel.
'After the eye surgery, Sir Dolorem and Bishop Lazark seem like the best options to bring along this time as they have abundant experience. Felix and Gabriel should focus on their own training in the Holy Land this time. Elyon can focus on attaining the rank of Archpriest, perhaps… But I hope Aurora will not follow me this time.'
"Maxy, what are you thinking?" Miraj asked.
"I was wondering what mum must have made for breakfast today. It could be a banana honey milkshake. What do you think, Chonky?"
Miraj rubbed one paw on his chubby face and wondered. "Ah… Banana and honey? So thick and slimy… I always like drinking it, but it becomes sticky. It becomes hard to swallow sometimes."
"..."
"Chonky, let's start your phrasing classes once again."
"What?!" Miraj stood on his hind legs on Sylvester's shoulder. "What did I say wrong now? Isn't banana shake white, thick and slimy? Is it not sticky?"
Sylvester just patted the furry cat and calmed him down. "Buddy, you have a long way to go."
Eventually, he arrived home and found it was empty. Xavia had gone to work in the Guild Peninsula as the Superintendent Healer. Isabella was studying in the School of Dawn, and Zeek was either training or guarding Xavia.
Clank!
"Maxy! It's chicken and rice!" Miraj shouted from the kitchen countertop.
"Good, I feel relieved now. Let's eat and start preparing. Sir Dolorem's eye surgery is scheduled for the evening, so we will be busy at night. Eat all you want."
"Huzza!" Miraj cheered and, like a human, used a spatula to pour out food for himself, albeit very clumsily. He set himself a nice plate and even put some salad for himself, a banana.
As for Sylvester, he had a lot to do before going out. First, he had to set up the whole underground printing for the books. For that, he first needed someone to compile all the letters and set up the initial copy. On the other hand, he had a week-long training with Aurora planned.
'I've become an Archbishop now. My next hurdle is twice as high, as I must become a Grand Wizard and a Cardinal.' He was lost in his thoughts while eating. 'I need a significant achievement that affects the entire world. Something even bigger than mountain barbarians.'
"Maxy, I want to train too. I will become stronger and protect you everywhere." Miraj proclaimed while eating like a baby, spreading food around the table.
'I don't even know what you are, Chonky.' Sylvester thought.
"Perhaps you can devour a lot of acid and strategically throw it on some enemies? They will never know what hit them." He suggested.
Miraj's two ears perked up as he grinned. "Hehe… Should I melt my enemies slowly and make them scream as they die? It will be so much fun, Maxy!"
'He sure has the spirit to become one dangerous creature.'
"Yes, but be careful not to burn yourself. Anyway, let's finish and go find Sir Dolorem next." Sylvester devoured his food quickly, starting a competition with Miraj.
Woosh!
Like a vacuum cleaner, Miraj ate it all. "I want more!"
"You used your power. That's cheating." Sylvester accused.
Miraj slumped down on the table as if hurt. "I didn't… I really ate the food. Big mum's food is the best. Here, I will show you again."
Woosh!
Miraj set himself a plate and again ate it all in one go. "See… Hehe, you can't do thi–"
Sniff! Sniff!
Suddenly, Miraj stopped speaking, and his nose began to move violently. "I smell something! It's… coming from our room, Maxy."
"Our room?" Sylvester looked to the side in wonder. Everything seemed perfectly fine, and he smelled nothing.
But that calmness only remained until he found a slight hint of smoke coming from underneath the door. It was too little and appeared to be white smoke.
"Fire? How?!" Sylvester rushed to open the door with a water spell ready to be shot.
Thud!
A strong wave of heat emanated when he looked inside the room. It revealed the smoky view. The entire bed was on fire, and its legs had already given up, hence the loud sound. But thankfully, the fire had not spread yet.
"How?"
Woosh!
Sylvester used basic water elemental magic and doused the flames with ease. But, unfortunately, it left his room drenched in water completely, turning the ground and walls black with ashes.
Shhhh…!
Instead of stopping, he used elemental air magic and tried to dry the room first, which took him fifteen minutes.
"What could have caused this?" Sylvester mumbled and looked carefully to find any clues. As far as he remembered, he didn't do any dangerous experiments in the room, let alone something that could burn the building down.
He looked around and noticed sunlight coming from the window directly parallel to the bed. Furthermore, on the window frame, Sylvester had placed a colour-changing glass orb he had brought a while back as a showpiece.
"Solar ignition caused this?" he exclaimed, checking the glass orb.
At the touch, he found it to be quite warm. Then he moved the glass orb to another window where the sunlight was still striking.
"It did cause the fire." Soon enough, he noticed a dense beam of light falling on a wall inside. It was warm and strong, enough to cause a fire if concentrated on one spot for too long.
"Woah… Can I eat this beam and shoot it back?" Miraj wondered aloud.
"Wait!"
"Yes!"
Sylvester looked at the orb, the sunlight and Miraj alternatively. His expressions changed with each different look, and slowly the confident smile grew more prominent.
"You're a genius, Chonky!"
Miraj blushed and rubbed his face with a paw. "Hehe… Thank you."
Sylvester rushed to take out a bag and started packing a few things, including the orb. "This is it! Archimedes used it. Why can't I? This is the answer to the problems of Inquisitors. We don't need a cannon to kill bloodlings — We need a beam!"
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1000 GT = 1 Bonus chapter.
1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.
Ape Together Strong